Clearzoning®

Clearzoning®

Clearzoning® helps users find zoning answers faster

Clearzoning® by Giffels Webster organizes zoning regulations into a clear, easy-to-read format designed for everyday use. Intuitive organization and layouts, searchable terms, and visual cues help users quickly locate critical information such as permitted uses, dimensional standards, and setback requirements.
Clearzoning<sup>®</sup> helps users find zoning answers faster

It's Your Code, Only BetterTM

See how Clearzoning improves the usability of zoning ordinances. This short overview explains the Clearzoning process, what clients provide, and what they receive.

The challenge with zoning ordinances today

Clearzoning improves the structure of old ordinances and formats the restructured ordinance as an easy-to-use, easy-to-maintain document that makes ongoing code maintenance easier.

Outdated Cross-References

Obsolete pointers that lead to incorrect or non-existent sections.

Conflicting Language

Inconsistencies between the original ordinances and subsequent updates.

Technical Complexity

Dense text that requires specialized expertise to interpret.

Administrative Inefficiency

Significant staff time diverted to answering basic repetitive questions.

Review Difficulties​

Challenges for oversight bodies in ensuring projects meet necessary standards.

Barriers to Transparency

Confusing organization that hinders economic vitality for residents and business owners.

Legal and Enforcement Risks

Increased vulnerability during development reviews and potential legal challenges.

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What is Clearzoning®

Clearzoning® is a systematic review, verification, consolidation, and organization of zoning ordinances and amendments that results in a clear, usable digital zoning document based on official adoption records.
  • Identification of inconsistencies, contradictory or confusing text or gaps in regulations
  • Reorganization into a clear, consolidated zoning ordinance
  • Streamlined and user-friendly format with intuitive layouts, searchable terms and visuals
  • Helps staff and approving bodies understand and apply the ordinances
  • Makes the ordinance easier to access and understand for the general public, including basic accessibility support
  • Ongoing incorporation of future amendments
Clearzoning® is available as a standalone service, and communities do not need to be planning clients of Giffels Webster to use the product.

Step-by-Step

How the Clearzoning® Process Works

Step-by-Step

How the Clearzoning® Process Works

Step 1: Client Onboarding & Audit

Step 1: Client Onboarding & Audit

  1. Intake & document collection
    Current zoning ordinance (Word format) is provided.
  2. Comprehensive code review
    Problem areas, redundancies, gaps, inconsistencies with the adopted master plan, and conflicts are clearly identified; some of these items may be easily addressed in the transformation, while other items will require community policy decisions.
  3. Findings summary & recommendations
    A structured audit report outlines observations, prioritized concerns, and practical next-step recommendations.
  4. Audit delivery & consultation
    Final audit materials are delivered and reviewed with staff to clarify findings and implementation options.
Step 2: Ordinance Transformation

Step 2: Ordinance Transformation

  1. Transformation & consolidation
    Ordinance is reorganized, cleaned up, and modernized into a single, cohesive document. The ordinance is analyzed for structure, internal consistency, formatting issues, conflicting provisions, and amendment integration. Grammatical, typographic, and inconsistent numbering will be resolved; additional amendments are recommended after the transformed ordinance is adopted.
  2. Quality control & client review
    Internal QC is completed, draft is shared, and feedback from staff and/or legal counsel is incorporated.
  3. Public hearing and adoption

    With the reorganization, adoption of the new ordinance is required. 

  4. Finalization & delivery
    Hyperlinking is completed and the fully consolidated, ready-to-use ordinance is delivered in PDF format for hosting on the community’s website.
Step 3: Post-Amendment Updates

Step 3: Post-Amendment Updates

  1. Intake & document collection
    Ordinances, amendments, minutes, notices, publications
  2. Verification & cross-checking
    Each amendment is traced back to official action
  3. Clearzoning document produced
    Organized, readable, defensible

Optional Ongoing Support

Tools and guidance for future amendments

Deliverables

What You Recieve

Designed to support day-to-day administration, transparency, and a solid zoning framework

Deliverables

What You Recieve

Designed to support day-to-day administration, transparency, and a solid zoning framework

Zoning Audit Report

A comprehensive summary identifying inconsistencies, conflicts, and confusing text within the current code.

Modernized Digital Ordinance

A logically organized, hyperlinked, and illustrated format designed to improve accessibility for staff, officials, and the public.

Maintenance and Amendment Support

Ongoing assistance to ensure the ordinance remains accurate and well-managed over time.

What Users Are Saying About Clearzoning®

I love the efficiency and clickability.

Ability to quickly hop between ordinance sections is helpful. The diagrams are great and help to clarify the intent.

The links and the graphics make the ordinance so much easier to use.

I appreciate the links to other relevant sections within the code. It's so easy to navigate. I also appreciate the submission form for ordinance amendments. It makes that process easier to describe to you.

The ordinance is easy to use and navigate – and the interactive map is a great tool.

I think the moveability around the document with the way it is linked is a great benefit.

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For communities looking to resolve zoning questions and inquiries faster

For communities looking to resolve zoning questions and inquiries faster

Who Benefits from Clearzoning®

  • Cities, villages, townships, and counties
  • Planning & zoning departments
  • Municipal attorneys
  • Communities preparing for ordinance updates or recodification
  • Design professionals
  • Residents and business owners
  • Land developers and builders
Who Benefits from Clearzoning<sup><small>®</small></sup>

Why Clearzoning® with Giffels Webster

  • Deep municipal planning experience
  • Understanding of the relationship between master planning and zoning
  • Proven methodology, not an ad-hoc cleanup
  • Focus on accuracy, defensibility, and long-term usability
  • Collaborative process with local staff
  • Improvements in accessibility
  • Format that is familiar to most users
Why Clearzoning<sup>®</sup> with Giffels Webster

Ready to bring clarity to your zoning ordinance?

Let’s Talk About Your Project

Talk With Our Team

Ready to bring clarity to your zoning ordinance?

Let’s Talk About Your Project

Talk With Our Team
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